A former co-worker of Sweeney, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the Post Friday that Sweeney often talked about her son at work. He had behavioural issues and she tried to give him everything he wanted, including video games, to the point of spoiling him, the former co-worker said.
But the relationship was rocky. “I recall her saying a couple of times that she was afraid of him because of his outbursts,” the former co-worker said. The boy eventually ran away from home and moved in with his grandmother.
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One online gamer told the Post this week Schmegelsky had an “aggressive play style” and that Schmegelsky would target a player and harass them until they were forced to leave the game, finding out whatever he could about them that could be used as harassment.
The user also said Schmegelsky “spoke highly” of the Azov Battalion, a far-right Ukrainian group whose logo resembles a swastika.
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Ozren Nemec, owner of the NanaTech technology store in Port Alberni, confirmed Friday that McLeod had attended some computer gaming events — or LAN parties — that he had helped to organize in recent years.
“He seemed to be a good, down to earth young man, with great potential ahead of him, and seemed well accepted by his peers,” Nemec said.
“Our gaming community is in shock right now,” he said, adding that he feared that the pair’s alleged actions would put a “black mark” on the gaming community.
